Tutkija tietokoneen ääressä, tietokoneen ruudussa datapankki, seinälle heijastunut kuva tilastoista muodostetusta kuvasta.

Unique data resources for world-class research

INVEST has developed two new register-linked datasets that have taken research infrastructure to an entirely new level.

  1. Register–genome data combination
    We combined extensive sociodemographic and health-related register data with genome data from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), covering more than 80,000 randomly sampled individuals. This makes it possible to study gene–environment interactions in health and social outcomes across the life course and historical time with unprecedented depth.

  2. KiVa® RCT data linked with registers
    We also combined data from the KiVa® antibullying programme’s randomised controlled trial (2007–2009) with register data. This dataset includes detailed information on more than 25,000 children (aged 6–15) regarding bullying experiences and peer networks. By linking these to administrative registers, we can now explore how childhood peer relations shape educational, health and social outcomes in early adulthood.

Both datasets are updated annually with new register information and became available for research use in 2022.

Growing importance as research infrastructure

These resources are not only used by INVEST researchers but also serve the wider scientific community. By 2024, 81 INVEST researchers and 40 external users – including 23 from foreign organisations – had accessed the data. The number of users is steadily increasing.

Expanding linkages

Since 2022, data linkages have expanded considerably and will continue to do so in 2025. New additions include:

  • participation in early childhood and basic education,

  • data on criminal activity and convictions.

In addition, register data has been integrated with non-register sources, such as:

  • weather data from the Finnish Meteorological Institute,

  • geographic data that allow analyses of travel distances and times between family members.

The ILSW survey

In 2024, INVEST conducted the Longitudinal Study on Wellbeing (ILSW), which will be linked with register data in 2025. Meanwhile, the KiVa® RCT register linkages have been expanded to include crime and conviction data.

Together, these developments provide INVEST with internationally unique data resources. They enable cutting-edge research on how wellbeing, health, education and social relations are shaped across the life course and how these dynamics can inform evidence-based policy.